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Dangling Modifiers

This document discusses dangling modifiers, which occur when the subject of the modifier clause does not match the intended subject of the main clause. This can make sentences unclear. There are two strategies to fix dangling modifiers: 1) name the intended subject as the subject of the sentence, or 2) include the intended subject within the modifier clause. The document provides examples of dangling modifiers and revisions using each strategy. It also includes an activity where the reader underlines dangling modifiers and revises sentences using one of the two strategies.

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47 views

Dangling Modifiers

This document discusses dangling modifiers, which occur when the subject of the modifier clause does not match the intended subject of the main clause. This can make sentences unclear. There are two strategies to fix dangling modifiers: 1) name the intended subject as the subject of the sentence, or 2) include the intended subject within the modifier clause. The document provides examples of dangling modifiers and revisions using each strategy. It also includes an activity where the reader underlines dangling modifiers and revises sentences using one of the two strategies.

Uploaded by

aganaplelibeth
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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San José State University Writing Center

www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter
Written by Alanna Callaway and Andrea Smith

Dangling Modifiers
“Running to the bus, the backpack fell in the mud.” Why is this sentence strange? This sentence
states that the backpack (subject) was running to the bus, rather than the person (implied actor or
agent) carrying the backpack. The implied actor is not mentioned in the sentence at all. This type
of error is called a dangling modifier, and it presents a problem in your writing since it makes
your intended meaning unclear. Dangling modifiers usually occur at the beginning of a sentence,
though they can also be found at the end of a sentence.

Strategies to Fix Dangling Modifiers


There are two strategies to fix a dangling modifier. The first is to name the actor or agent as the
subject of the sentence.

Example: Walking toward the forest, the sun began to set.


(In this example, “walking toward the forest” is a dangling modifier since it sounds as if
the sun is walking toward the forest.)

Revision: Walking toward the forest, I watched as the sun began to set.
(The actor, I, is named as the subject of the sentence.)

The second strategy to fix a dangling modifier is to name the actor or agent in the modifier itself.

Example: Walking toward the forest, the sun began to set.

Revision: As I walked toward the forest, the sun began to set.


(The actor, I, is added to the modifier.)

Activity
Underline the dangling modifier in each sentence. Choose a strategy and revise the sentence.
Note which strategy you used in your revision.

1. Having completed her finals, a summer road trip was planned.

2. After writing the paper, the thesis remains unsupported.

3. Given praise by his teachers, his attitude became obnoxious.

4. Not having followed the recipe closely, the cake was a disaster.

5. Having finished dinner, the plate was emptied.

6. While sleeping, the house caught on fire.

Dangling Modifiers, Spring 2009. Rev. Summer 2014. 1 of 2


Answer Key for Activity

1. Having completed her finals, she planned a summer road trip. (Strategy #1)

2. After he wrote the paper, the thesis remained unsupported. (Strategy #2)

3. After being praised by his teachers, he developed an obnoxious attitude. (Strategy #1)

4. Since she did not follow the recipe closely, the cake was a disaster. (Strategy #2)

5. Having finished dinner, she emptied the plate. (Strategy #1)

6. While he was sleeping, the house caught on fire. (Strategy #2)

References
“Dangling Modifiers.” Purdue University Online Writing Lab. 6 February 2008. Web.
Maimon, Elaine P., Janice H. Peritz, and Kathleen Blake Yancey. A Writer’s Resource: A

Handbook for Writing and Research. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2007. Print.

Dangling Modifiers, Spring 2009. Rev. Summer 2014. 2 of 2

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